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‘Art: Healing in Disguise’ Exhibit Opens Oct. 17

Oct. 1, 2012

Richard Boucher, chief staff physician at the Student Health and Counseling Center, stands beside his photograph “View from Sentinel Rock, Yosemite National Park.” The photo is included in the “ART: Healing in Disguise” exhibit opening this month.

What:

Art created by Cal State Fullerton students, faculty, staff and alumni is featured in the Art 4 Health VI "ART: Healing in Disguise" exhibit opening Oct. 17. The free, public exhibit focuses on the connection between art and health and wellness.

When:

Wednesday, Oct. 173-5 p.m. 4 p.m. "Best of Show" announced

Where:

Cal State Fullerton's Student Health and Counseling Center (located on the north side of campus) 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, 92831

Artists Include:

Lauren Gallegos of Brea, a 2009 B.F.A. in art-illustration graduate, is creator of "Bottles," an acrylic replica of a painting originally created by her late grandmother, who inspired her to become an artist. Gallegos found it comforting to recreate the piece after her grandmother's death. "Simply knowing that there is such a thing as healing in disguise encourages me to continue making art. I might not know at the time, but it's very satisfying to know that something you created is [helping] or will help to heal someone mentally or spiritually. What a great privilege it is to be able to help someone who needs healing."

Lindsey Serata of Fullerton, a senior art-illustration major, created "Cocktails," a graphite piece representing the result of a woman's alcohol and drug abuse. "I took the theme and portrayed the other side of health. It is one thing to see what is healthy, but quite another to see what can destroy your health. The unhealthy story often has much more impact than the healthy alternative. Alcohol and drug abuse is immensely significant in today's society and, therefore, should have a lot of attention called upon it."

Richard Boucher of Long Beach, chief staff physician at the Student Health and Counseling Center, submitted his photography piece "View from Sentinel Rock, Yosemite National Park." "What appears to be solitary in nature is, in fact, immersed in its totality. Healing, too, is the same, more than a single, stationary act, rather a multifaceted, complex integration of spirit, mind and body."

Graduate student Maggie Parr of Los Angeles, studying illustration in the M.F.A. program, submitted "The Father," an oil and digital painting and one in a series titled "Dangerous Angels." Parr is fascinated by angels, not as religious icons, but as archetypal characters. "I have always painted to heal myself. It's how I make sense of traumatic events in my childhood. It's also how I process memories or emotions that are not easy to express in any other way. Rather than approach these subjects literally, I use various forms of 'disguise' — symbols, masks, myths and metaphors — to make it safer to explore the landscapes of my mind. In the process, the characters in the art come alive to teach me about myself and heal the past in ways I could not have figured out on my own."

Brent M. Foster of Yorba Linda, assistant professor of communications, created "Sea Glass," a beach glass mosaic of green, brown, clear and blue broken glass that he and his family found at Crystal Cove. The mosaic "helps us preserve the memory" of a family day at the beach, Foster said. "Growing up in Missouri and only moving to California five years ago, I can't help but be inspired every time I dip my foot in the ocean. Leaving the fields and barns for palms and beaches is simply wonderful, and I use that inspiration to revisit my dusty artistic talents and desires."

Why:

"The reason for having an art show within the Student Health and Counseling Center is to bring more awareness about the center's services to CSUF students, to provide a venue for students, alumni, faculty and staff to display their artwork and to offer an enjoyable and interesting environment for those who visit and work in the center," said Misti D. Osmialowski, center executive assistant and exhibit curator. The first exhibit was launched in 2007-08 as part of the university's 50th anniversary and featured 22 artists and their 66 artworks.

Additional:

The juried exhibit features 37 artists — 65 percent students — and 94 pieces of art. Monetary awards will be given to students for first and second place. Some artwork will be available for purchase with the majority of proceeds going to the artist and a portion to support the annual exhibit program and awards. The alumnus who wins "Best in Show" will have the opportunity to display his or her work in the Titan Student Union Chapman Atrium gallery for three months. Faculty and staff members who win "Best of Show" also will be awarded Chapman Atrium gallery space.

The opening reception is the only public opportunity to view the exhibit due to the confidentiality of the Student Health and Counseling Center. After the Oct. 17 event, campus and community members may view the exhibit at no charge, but by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 657-278-3946.